Power actuated rhythmical movement accessories for children&#39;s cribs



Dec. 15, 1959 I s ETAL 2,916,745

' POWER ACTUATED 'RHYTHMICAL MOVEMENT ACCESSORIES FOR CHILDRENS CRIBS Filed Sept. 17, 1954' 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 NORMA/v Leyk Dec. 15, 1959- LESK ETAL 2,916,745-

POWER ACTUATED RHYTHMICAL MOVEMENT ACCESSORIES FOR CHILDREN'S CRIBS Filed Sept. 17, 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 MKMA/v le'sk M/fcY/EZ kze-mm m IN VEN TORS N. LESK ET POWER ACTUATED RHYTHMICAL MOVEMENT ACCESSORIES FOR CHILDREN'S CRIBS Dec. 15, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Sept. 17. '1954 No/PMA/v Lesk M/rcwea. AlV/VM/M/ IN VEN TORS Dec. 15, 1959 LESK ETAL 2,916,745

POWER ACTUA'iED RHYTHMICAL MOVEMENT ACCESSORIES FOR CHILDREN'S CRIBS Filed Sept. 17. 1954 4 sheets-sheet 4 NoPMA/v leak Mrcwez mam/MM INVENTORS United States Pateht 32 1612 POWER 'ACTUATED' RHYTHMICAL MOVEMENT ACCESSORIES?FflR-CHILDRENS CRIBS Norman Les'k; mantras; Mitchel Kleinman, Brooklyn, Application September 17, 1954, Serial No. 456,646 s a t n o1. 5- 109 This invention relates to: power actuated rhythmical movenientrneans for childrens cribs, and more particularly to'readily attachableaccessories each'supplied as an assembly unit for mounting a 'a conventional non-rocking childs cribawithoutrany change of construction or alteration of the latter. 7 I

Amongtheobjectsof theiinvention is to generally improve.- powerrrhythmical' movement accessories of the Cha'mcterd'esribed which shalll comprise few and simple partsathat, may beeasily. attachedlin operative position as an accessory onzichildrenh crihs oflconventionalconstruction, :twhichc-operation shall" repeatedly produce smoother and gender rhythmic'rnoveme'nt than heretofore conduciveto' relaxation 'andssleepiness inan occupant? of the .crib; which: shall be" adjustable to accommodatet cribscfrdiflerentdimensions of the various rnanufacturers, which-shall bedepend'ableand reliable in operation without supervision; which .shalLbe inexpensive to manufiactureyetrugged to withstand rough usage, which shall be selectively adjustable fora wide range of degrees of rhythmic crib-movement, whichnshall be safe under all conditions.ofuse-especiallyto practically stop the rhythmic movementtran smittedto the crib when the occupant stands up from. a lying downposition, and which shall be eiiic ient and practical to a high degree in use.

Other objects of the invention will inpart be obvious and in parthereinafiter Point d out.

The invention accordingly consists" of features of construction, combinations of elements and arrangements of parts which will be exemplified in the constructions hereinafter disclosed; the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the claims following.

In the accompanying drawingin which various embodi ments of the-invention are'shown:

Fig. 1- is: a perspective view showing a conventional non-rockingtype of childs 'crib equipped with an electrically operated rhythmic movement accessory in operativeiassembly to embody the -invention, the crib being partly broken away to expose a portion of the accessory power drive. t t

Figs. ,2 and'3 are perspective views of the power drive and one of 'the'end" spring mountings of the accessory assembly unit, respectively, shownlin Fig. 1.

Fig.4 isa side elevational view of the childs crib and accessory shown in Fig. 1, partly broken away to show the detachable. mounting on' the crib.

Fig; is a mid-sectional view corresponding to a cut taken; on line 5- -5 in Fig; 4 showing the relative position of the spring mounting anddrive power unit of the accessory assembly unitr i a 2,916,745 1 Patented Dec. 11959 construction. 1

' Fig. 7ais an enlarged cross-sectional view similar to Fig.7 showing an'alternate' form of power drive construction. l

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary enlarged view ofa lower end portion'of the crib footboard structure, partly broken away: toshow the detachable coupled assembly of the bar spaced-apart leaf spring mounting with the c'asten sockets of the crib. v Fig; 8a isa'fragmentary enlarged view similar'to Fig. 8- but showing helicalsprings used in place of the leaf springs ofthemounting. i f

Fig. 8b -is'afragmentary ehlargedview similar to Fig. 8 showing the spaced apart leaf springs mounted directly to the lower endportion of the crib footboard, and y Fig.9 is asectional view taken on line 9-9- in either Figs. 5 or 8 showing the top' plan'viewot the-bar spaced apart leaf spring mountingfi b This applicationis-a continuation-in-part of ourapplication entitled Electrically Operated Crib Rocker, Serial No. 331,388, filed January 15', 1953', nowabandonedi Referring in detail'to the drawing; 21 denotes a childs crib which may be of any conventional non-rocking'type provided with an attachable power actuated rhythmical movement accessory 22 constructed tojembody-tlie invention. I a

I Crib'21-,-as' shown in Figs; 1, 4 and -5,- may have an upright-headboard 21a formed with spaced verticaliedge posts 21b separated from-foot board 21c formed with spaced vertical edge posts-21d, spaced apart uard rail sides- 212 extending" between head board 21a and-foot board 210 and enclosing horizontally extendingres't surface S-ofimattressM, the latter beingstiitablysupported by said headboard ZIa'and foot'board 21c in any well understood manner." 7 i Q As seen'f-rom Figsjl; 4 and 5, accessory 22 which forms a multi-part unit may comprise a pair of spring mounting members 23 providing a resilient cushioning supporty for the crib head board 21a and foot board 21c' from the ground or floor F and a'suit'able power drive unit 24. i i

Each spring mounting member 23, 'as shown-indetail in Figs. 3; 4, 5; 8 and 9, has a horiozntally disposed crossbar 23a which carries, to extend vertically thereon, stud shanks 23b adjustably spaced apart in slots 23h for selectively conforming to the span of the distance between caster pin socket holes 21 and 21g bored up into the pairs of spaced edge posts 21b and 21d, respective- 1y, into'which holes 21 and 21g shank portions 230 of stud shanks 23b upstanding from each bar 234' are fitted thereby replacing individual caster shanks usually provided in saidholes Elf and 21g. Downwardly extending threaded portion 230! of each spaced stud shank 23b passes through eachcrossbar 23a terminating in a height adjusting stop block 23:: which can be set to positively limit the maximum tilting movement of the crib 21 from 23a and located between stop blocks 23e, there may be provided suitable resilient cushioning means, such as, bowed leaf springs 25 each having a mid-portion bight 25a terminating in a lower level end 25b formed to rest on floor F.

Upper level end 250 o posite lower level end 25b of spring 25 may be adiustably secured to the under side of crossbar 23a by suitable means, as for example, elongated slots 23s, and screw clamp connectors 25d, at various distances from each other with a gap between bights 25a which are in alignment with crossbar 23a. Upper end 250 is longer than lower end 25b so that the latter forms a s anning base length su port about half the width of crib 21, as is clear from Figs. and 8. The spacing adjustment positions of the springs 25 on crossbar 23a can be simply made by looseningscrew clamp connectors 25d, selectively moving upper ends 250 toward or away from each other along slots 23g and then again tightening said connectors 25d. Stud shanks 23b may also be adjustably secured in slots 23h at various distances apart on each crossbar 23a to conform to differences of spacing of crib post socket holes 217 and 21g. To this end. a pair of nut and washer connectors 23 may be provided for firmly screw clamping each threaded ortion 23d in set position on crossbar 23a, as shown in Figs. 8 and 9.

Power drive unit 24 may include a suitable enclosing casing 24a which is demountably supported from the crib structure, as for exam le, by spaced bracket arms 24b terminated by adjustable wing bolt anchoring clamp ends 240 which releasably fasten to lower horizontally extending edge border cross stretcher 21h of foot board 21c so as to locate the enclosed power drive unit 24 to extend just below mattress M in a relatively centralized position above the s an of the supporting base length formed by the aligned lower level spring ends 25b, as is clear from Figs. 1, 4. 5 and 8.

Suitably controlled mechanical or electrical motor means of any well known construction may be provided to operate power drive unit 24 which. as here shown in Figs. 4, 6 and 7, has an electric motor E bolted to bottom side of casing 24a and is equipped with a s eed reduction mechanism, as for example, a combination of meshing gears G and worm and wheel W, which drive vertically disposed shaft 24d for normally rotating a radially extending arm 24s in a horizontal plane therewith.

A suitable rigid framework A may be provided for supporting aligned spaced bearings B in which opposite end portions of horizontally extending countershaft C are journalled, the latter carrying to turn therewith one of said gears G and the worm of the worm and wheel W.

Said framework A may also support in alignment an overhang bearing H for drive shaft 24d, as is clear from Fig. 7.

Said arm 242 may terminate in a weighted portion 24f, the relatively slow rotation of which by drive shaft 240' produces the desired rhythmic movement for crib 21 in the manner more fully hereinafter described.

For connecting motor E to an available electric power source (not shown) in the well understood manner, as a portable appliance, flexible lead wires L and circuit plug P are provided to extend from motor E, as is clear from Figs. 1 and 2.

To vary the speed of rotation of said weighted portion 24f to obtain a frequency in resonance with the cribs weight characteristics, suitable electric motor speed variation control means may be connected in the well known manner in the motor power supply circuit, such as a rheostat 24g, and finger knob 24h extending beyond casing 24a for convenient manipulation,'shown for example, in Figs. 2, 4, 5 and 6.

The practical utility of the invention will now be apparent. After constructing the multi-part unit forming accessory 22, namely, spring mounting members 23 and power drive unit 24 as described above and shown in thedrawing, said accessory multi-part unit can be readily installed for operation by simply fitting upturned shank portion 23c of each member 23 into edge post caster socket holes 21f and 21g of any standard non-rocking childs crib 21 by first adjusting the spacing of stud shanks 23b and tightening the nut and washer connectors 23 about crossbar 23a and then securely anchoring power drive unit 24 in a centralized position by fastening anchoring clamp ends 24c to edge border cross brace 2111.

After adjusting the level of blocks 23e on stud 23:! above floor F to positively limit the maximum tilting of the crossbar 23a with the crib 21 to the highest degree of safety, crib 21 with accessory 22 installed is then ready for practical service on placing a child on mattress rest surface S.

To produce desired gentle and smooth rhythmic movement, plug P of electric flexible lead wire L is connected to any suitable electric supply outlet (not shown) in the well understood manner, motor E then being energized to rotate drive shaft 24d with radial arm 24a and weighted portion 24 at a relatively slow speed (r.p.m.), the latter moving in a horizontal plane path.

Crib 21 with accessory power drive unit 24 disconnected from the power supply normally has mattress rest surface S thereof in a relatively horizontal balanced level position of equilibrium, but on energizing motor E the cyclic rotation of weighted portion 24 of arm 24e sets up an actuating force sufiicient to produce swaying on cushioning springs 25 in a gentle and smooth rhythmical movement when the rate of rotation of arm 24a is substantially equal to the combined resonant frequency, of crib 21 mounted on members 23 with an occupant lying on mattress M.

In practicing the invention, for example, it has been found that where a standard sized crib is utilized having a distance of about 29 inches between socket holes 21 21g in posts 21b, 21d, respectively, the floor contact points of lower ends 25b of bowed leaf springs 25 may be adjusted for a spaced apart distance of about 14 inches so'that power drive unit 24 mounted to underlie the crib spring and spaced equally between posts 21d and having weight 24f of about 1 pound driven at about 76 r.p.m. in a circular path of a radius of about 5 inches elevated approximately 12 inches from the floor, will produce the desired rhythmic, rocking motion of crib 21.

In order to compensate for differences in the resonant frequency of crib 21 due to its weight, center of gravity and weight of its contents including spring, mattress, bedding and occupant, motor speed adjusting rheostat 24g is designed to vary the speed of motor E from a minimum of 68 to a maximum of 78 r.p.m. on turning knob 2411. This variation of 10 r.p.m. has been found sutficient to bring most cribs and contents into resonance.

Thus, in operating accessory 22 after power is supplied to energize motor E for causing rotation of weight 24,, rheostat knob 24h is first set to permit maximum speed of rotation at 78 r.p.m. Should the crib fail to respond by remaining stationary, knob 2411 is then turned to reduce the speed of rotation of weight 24 until a resonant frequency equivalent to that of crib 21 is obtained at which point rocking will commence and continue until either the power is shut off or the resonance of the system is disturbed, as for example, by the child occupant standing up in the crib.

It will now be apparent that accessory 22 in utilizing resonance of the system will require a minimum of power for its operation, a HF. motor having been found quite adequate, and also provides the hereinbefore mentioned safety feature whereby a child occupant by standing up will alter the center of gravity of crib 21 thus also changing the resonant frequency thereof a sufficient amount to cause the rocking motion to cease. Blocks 23s extending down from the ends of crossbar 23a are adjusted to a position above the level 'of floor F serving as stop means to prevent tipping or tilting of crib 21 beyond a safe angle, as is clear from the broken line position shown in Fig. 8, and provides an added safety feature whereby a child occupant will not be able to over- 'turn crib 21 byleaning'oventhe guard rail sides Zle.

member 23 but, instead of bowed leaf springsZS, helical spring units 35 may be provided adjustably secured to the underside of crossbar 33a by suitable means, as for example, elongated slots 33g and bolt and washer connectors 35d. Helical spn'ng 'units 35 may be formed in anywell known manner, as for example, with a helical spring 35a'secured between lower and upper-terminal J .cups 351: and'35c," respectively, lower cup 35b serving as a floor engaging surfacefor each of the units 35.

When so desired, a separate leaf spring unit may be fashioned to embody the invention for direct mounting in each of the caster socket holes 21 and 21g of crib 21. To this end, Fig. 8b shows mounted on crib 21 modified bowed leaf springs 45 each having a mid-portion bight 45a terminating in floor resting lower level 45b and upper level 450 secured adjacent the end thereof to one of the socket holes 21f and 21g of posts 21b and 21d by suitable means, as for example, a threaded shank 45d extending through an opening in upper level 45c and clamped thereto between nut and washer 45 and caster socket fitting sleeve 45g which is internally threaded to adjustably receive shank 45d. Upper level 450 may be formed with a terminal upturned flange45e for contacting the outer faces of posts 2112, 21d to prevent rotating or swiveling of spring 45 in socket holes 21 and 21g.

Spring mounting members 33 with helical spring units 35 may be installed for operation as part of accessory 22 in the same manner as spring mounting members 23 described above, helical spring units 35 being spaced apart and centralized with respect to the width of crib 21 along slots 33g and secured in adjusted position by bolt and washer connectors 35d for optimum'sensitivity to the rotation of weight 24]. Separate leaf springs 45 when used instead of members 23 or 33 may be of predetermined portions so that the floor contact points of lower ends 45b will be spaced apart aproper distance to render the required sensitivity and may be provided in diiferent sizes for use on different size and weight cribs. When mounted in caster socket holes 21 and 21g, separate leaf springs 41-5 will be in alignment with each other and function in the same manner as members 23 and 33 above described.

Instead of the electric motor power drive means and arm construction for rotating weight 24 shown in Fig. 7, an electric motor driven phonograph record turntable unit U of any well known construction may be utilized to carry weight 24; in its said circular path. Such unit U is shown in Fig. 7a to comprise a plate N supported from a bottom side of casing 24a by brackets K and carrying suitable bearings in which are journalled stub shafts X and Y and drive shaft D of electric motor Q, turntable T being mounted for rotation on shaft X and driven by motor Q through intermediate friction drive wheel F rotating on shaft Y in the well understood manner, electric motor Q being provided with lead wires L and circuit plug P for connection to an available power source in the same manner as motor E. Weight 24 may be secured to the periphery of turntable T by any means, as for example, bracket and bolts R and will functiontas the drive mechanism shown in Fig. 7 and described above.

Accessory 22 imparts a relatively slow rhythmical rocking or swaying motion to crib 21 conforming substantially in frequency to the rpm. of weight 24 The frequency range utilized herein as well as the quality of the rocking motion has proved soothing to children having a tendency to induce sleep in contrast to prior art devices which set up vibratory or bouncing motion in the crib.

It is thus seen that there is provided improved power operated accessory constructions for imparting a rhythmical rocking or swaying motion to childrens cribs in which the severalobjects of the invention are=achieved andwhich I are well adapted to meet conditions ofprac'tical use;

As various'poss ible embodiments 'might be made in the above invention, and as various changes might be -madein the constructions above setforth, it is to be I crib having four corner supporting posts each fitted with a caster pin socket hole, a crossbar of a length suflicient to extend between and beneath two of said corner posts along one end of the crib for supporting said crib end thereon in an upright position, stud shanks carried on opposite ends of said crossbar extending upwardly to engagingly seat in said caster pin sockets to retain said crib end in said supported upright position, and resilient spring cushioning means carried by said crossbar having floor contacting points in alignment therewith positioned inwardly from each end thereof and symmetrically positioned between said stud shanks for supporting said crossbar a predetermined spaceddistance above a floor surface to provide for said crib rocking and swaying.

2. In the accessory defined in claim 1 in which said resilient spring cushioning means includes a pair of spaced apart bowed leaf springs, one end portion of each spring being shorter than the other, the shorter spring portion terminating in said floor contacting points.

3. In the accessory defined in claim 1 in which said resilient spring cushioning means includes a pair of spaced apart helical springs.

4. In the accessory defined in claim 1, in which said crossbar includes means for adjustably spacing said floor contacting points toward and away from each other.

5. In the accessory defined in claim 1 in which said resilient spring cushioning means includes a pair of spaced apart bowed leaf springs, one end portion of each spring being shorter than the other, the shorter spring portion terminating in said floor contacting points, said crossbar including means for adjustably spacing said bowed leaf springs with said floor contacting points closer to or further away from each other and means for adjustably spacing said stud shanks to conform to the width of over or under sized cribs.

6. In the accessory defined in claim 1 in which adjustable stop means are provided on opposite ends of said crossbar to extend downwardly into said spaced distance above the floor surface for limiting the rocking movement of the crib and for preventing accidental tilting due to shifting of a crib occupants weight.

7. In an accessory for imparting rhythmical rocking and swaying movement to a standard non-rocking childs crib having a horizontally disposed rest surface extending between oppositely positioned end panels supported between pairs of corner posts, a crossbar of a length suflicient to extend between and beneath a pair of said corner posts beneath each end panel of the crib for supporting said crib ends thereon in an upright position, means carried on opposite ends of said crossbars for attaching the crossbars to a bottom portion of each pair of corner posts to retain said crib ends in said supported upright position, resilient spring cushioning means carried by each of said crossbars for supporting the latter a predetermined distance above a floor surface, said spring cushioning means having a pair of floor contacting points in alignment beneath each crossbar spaced inwardly from each end thereof and symmetrically positioned between said post attaching means, an eccentric weight and power drive for rotating said weight at a predetermined speed, and means for mounting said weight and power drive on one of said crib end panels below said rest surface for travel in a horizontal plane effective when operative to impart said rhythmical rocking and swaying movement to the resilient spring cushioning means mounted crib.

8. The accessory defined in claim 7 including means for selectively varying the predetermined speed of rotation of said weight to conform to the resonant frequency of the crib and an occupant.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 107,924 Lamb Oct. 4, 1870 128,746 Ordway July 9, 1872 141,032 Chichester July 22, 1873 Kupper Mar. 9, 

